The Shady Side Academy Junior School third grade class collected 388 pairs of pajamas and raised $350.90 to purchase even more pajamas for local foster care children through the second annual pajama drive fundraiser benefiting the Mattress Firm Foster Kids program.

The third graders set a goal of collecting 275 pajamas. The pajama drive ran the week of Jan. 29-Feb. 2, and on Friday, Feb. 2, they invited the entire Junior School to wear pajamas to school for for a $1 donation. The money raised was used to purchase more new pajamas.

Pajama donations were delivered to a local Mattress Firm store for distribution to one or more local foster care agencies that are partners in the campaign, including Every Child, Pressley Ridge, Three Rivers Adoption Council and Ward Home.

The third graders were inspired to start the fundraiser last year by Olympic gold medal gymnast Simone Biles, who is the spokesperson for the Mattress Firm Foster Kids campaign. The third graders look forward to celebrating their hard work and success with a special gymnastics-themed physical education class in her honor.

The third graders would like to thank all of the Junior School families, faculty and staff who supported this community service project!

Congratulations to all of the third grade students and their teachers, Dan Stern and Andrea Benitez!